Labour MEP wants consumers at the centre of EU’s energy policy

Labour MEP Miriam Dalli has told the European Parliament that the EU’s Energy Union should prioritize ending energy poverty, and to introduce measures that help consumers and businesses to reduced energy bills.

“We require greater investments in innovative projects, quality buildings that are energy efficient, including also housing for the most vulnerable families so that their energy bill will be reduced further and their living conditions are improved. Furthermore, efficient technologies need to be actively supported,” Miriam Dalli told the EP during its approval of a report entitled ‘A New Deal for energy consumers’.

Malta has the fourth cheapest energy bills in the EU, with energy prices in Malta being far less than the European average and with consumers in certain Member States paying more than twice the energy price that Maltese households pay for.

“The EU energy policy which is currently being devised has to consider the social aspect to really contribute in the fight against poverty and social exclusion. Consumers who need help are the most vulnerable consumers and they are the ones that can really benefit from energy policies that offer flexibility and cheaper tariffs,” Dalli said.

The report calls on member states to provide consumers with information about the cheapest tariffs and their consumption patterns so that they will be in a position to control better their energy consumption. “There are a number of directives that can really make a difference in our citizens’ lives. These directives, which are to be presented by the European Commission in the coming months, should give utmost priority to the social aspect. This applies in particular to the Energy Performance of Buildings Directive, the Energy Efficiency Directive and new Electricity Market Design Proposals. All these forthcoming legislative proposals are part of the Energy Union and should put citizens at their core whilst contributing to eradicate energy poverty,” Dalli said.